Marseille hopeful of success on two fronts

PARIS, May 7 (Reuters) Olympique Marseille have a busy week ahead that could see them move closer to a Champions League spot and win their first trophy in 14 years.

A 2-1 Ligue 1 win at Monaco yesterday sent fourth-placed Marseille just a point from second place and the direct qualification for the Champions League it offers.

The southerners, who have three league matches left, will host lowly Nancy on Wednesday hoping for three more points.

They will then have little time to rest before heading for Paris where they will take on Sochaux in the French Cup final at the Stade de France on Saturday.

''That was maybe the most important match of the season,'' playmaker Samir Nasri told reporters after Marseille needed a late Mamadou Niang penalty to secure the points at Monaco.

''We're doing well and I see no reason why we shouldn't carry on.

It's looking good.'' Marseille chairman Pape Diouf sounded more cautious after his men moved a point behind second-placed Racing Lens and third-placed Girondins Bordeaux.

''We have won nothing yet,'' Diouf said. ''All the matches left are finals. The players realise that.'' Marseille, who have not won a title since their European Cup triumph in 1993, know they can still make their season a memorable one.

''It's quite simple,'' said France forward Franck Ribery. ''We must beat Nancy and then Sochaux.'' The only other teams with a decent chance of finishing runners-up are Lens and Bordeaux, both on 56 points from 35 games, 19 points behind Olympique Lyon, who have already wrapped up a sixth consecutive league title.

''We're one of three teams still in contention for the Champions League,'' said Marseille sporting director Jose Anigo. ''It's good to be where we are but the decisive matches are still to come.'' Lens will visit Lyon in a top-of-table fixture on Wednesday while Bordeaux host bottom club Nantes, who have lost all reasonable hope of escaping relegation.

Eight-times champions Nantes, who have spent a record 44 consecutive years in the top flight since being promoted in 1963, are seven points from safety with just nine points left to play for.

Paris St Germain, now in 15th place, seven points from the drop zone, after going six matches without defeat, should be safe if they do not lose at strugglers Nice.

REUTERS AKD BD1708